Chremylus
coming out of his house
To say, “Hail! my dear neighbors!” is an old form of greeting and well worn with use; so therefore I embrace you, because you have not crept like tortoises,
325
but have come rushing here in all haste. Now help me to watch carefully and closely over the god.
Leader of the Chorus
Be at ease. You shall see with what martial zeal I will guard him.
330
What! we jostle each other at the Assembly for three obols, and am I going to let Plutus in person be stolen from me?
Chremylus
But I see Blepsidemus; by his bearing and his haste I can readily see he knows or suspects something.
Blepsidemus
335
What has happened then? Whence, how has Chremylus suddenly grown rich? I don't believe a word of it. Nevertheless, nothing but his sudden fortune was being talked about in the barber-shops.
340
But I am above all surprised that his good fortune has not made him forget his friends; that is not the usual way!
Chremylus
By the gods, Blepsidemus, I will hide nothing from you. To-day things are better than yesterday;
345
let us share, for are you not my friend?
Blepsidemus
Have you really grown rich as they say?
Chremylus
I shall be soon, if the god agrees to it. But there is still some risk to run.
Blepsidemus
What risk?
Chremylus
Well ...
Blepsidemus
Tell me, quick!
Chremylus
350
If we succeed, we are happy for ever, but if we fail, it is all over with us.
Blepsidemus
It's a bad business, and one that doesn't please me! To grow rich all at once and yet to be fearful!
355
ah! I suspect something that's little good.
Chremylus
What do you mean?
Blepsidemus
No doubt you have just stolen some gold and silver from some temple and are repenting.
Chremylus
Nay! heaven preserve me from that!
Blepsidemus
360
A truce to idle phrases! the thing is only too apparent, my friend.
Chremylus
Don't suspect such a thing of me.
Blepsidemus
Alas! then there is no honest man! not one, that can resist the attraction of gold!
Chremylus
By Demeter, you have no common sense.
Blepsidemus
aside
365
How he has changed!
Chremylus
But, good gods, you are mad, my dear fellow!
Blepsidemus
aside
His very look is distraught; he has done some crime!
Chremylus
Ah! I know the tune you are playing now; you think I have stolen,
370
and want your share.
Blepsidemus
My share of what, pray?
Chremylus
You are beside the mark; the thing is quite otherwise.
Blepsidemus
Perhaps it's not a theft, but some piece of knavery!
Chremylus
You are insane!
Blepsidemus
What? You have done no man an injury?
Chremylus
No! assuredly not!
Blepsidemus
But, great gods, what am
375
I to think? You won't tell me the truth.
Chremylus
You accuse me without really knowing anything.
Wealth. Aristophanes. ed. Eugene O'Neill, Jr.. New York. 1938.
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